Towards carbon neutral cities: An insight for Istanbul, Turkey

Turkey pledged net-zero emissions by 2053 under the Paris Agreement. Istanbul, its largest city, aims to be carbon-neutral by 2050. To accomplish this goal, the first step involves identifying emissions and devising reduction plans, with a focus on utilizing natural carbon sinks. This study assessed emissions and potential reductions across Istanbul's 39 districts. Greenhouse gas emissions were calculated using Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change guidelines. Despite limited data on sink efficacy, a practical approach was adopted. According to the results, Istanbul emitted 58.5 million tons of CO2 equivalent, varying by district in 2022. In Istanbul, 32% of emissions come from electricity consumption, 29% from heating, 29% from transportation, and 10% from waste disposal. High emissions were observed near waste sites or airports. Carbon sinks reduced emissions by 11.5%, with only two districts achieving neutrality. Natural processes alone are not enough; urgent reduction strategies are needed, prioritizing high-emission districts over citywide measures.